The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-21
The House Of tho Good Shepherd.

Ri Rev. Mgr. Bessonies has given the follow
ing letter to the press of the city:
THE House of the Good Shepherd, situated a
half mile from the city limits and of easy access
been established since 1873. and commenced
operations in the brick house of Henry Wilson,
corner of Tennessee and Maryland streets.
whore the Board of Trade stands. It seemed
at first destined to fail. it was a thing
and no seemed take an interest in it.
The present situation, with fine stone
to which it had been donated By S. A. Fletcher
for house of reform for girls. The condition
of the donation of the premises to the Sisters of
the Good Shepherd was that the house should
be finished by them, and one-haIf of the prison
ers sent there by the city should be admitted
free. By great economy. bard work aud liberal
assistance from gentlemen of the city the house
was incosed and operations commenced. Mayor
Caven and s. A. Fletcher showed themselves
great friends of the Sisters The house was COM
pleted, and by laundry work the sisters and in
mates liquidated the debt. which very
heavy.
.'Tnis house has been opened and has furn-
ished a home to hundreds of girls, who on &C.
CONT Of their previous bad conduct, could find no
shelter except in houses of doubtful character
and in the station house There now seventy
of them in the House of the Good Shepherd work
ing for a living and trained in the love and fear
of God. After a year or two spent in rhe house.
situations are procured for them with good
to remain in the house for life. How many
souls are thus saved, and what benefit to the
city. morally and financially, for all these girls
would be leading bad life and be a continual
charge in the station house or jail.
But now the house of the Good Shepherd is
so full of inmates that there is room for any
more, and the good Sisters desire to start what
is called class of preservation, well pro-
vide a building for the Neutrality-suspicious. girls
who are remaining for life-and chapel for
them ALL Until now. a rule girls were not
received under fifteen years of age, as it not
considered good policy to mix young girls under
fifteen with those whose life had bsen
bad. The class of preservation.
the implies. will embrace girls
from ten to fifteen years of age. who
not bad vet. at least bad. but who
show disposition to become such. and whose
parents cannot control them. Also. girls of the
same age whose parents entirely unfit to
care for them. and need some one to save them
from ruin and raise them properly Prevention
ia better than cure, and for them the class of
will be preventive. By
ad hitting these girls to the House Of the Good
Shepherd, will make of them virtuous
women, furnish them a good home for time
and prepare for them honorable career of
life.
This is sufficient to show that the House Of
the Good Shepherd is the greatest charity of
charities and the house, grand
scale, sufficient to accommodate three hundred
inmates, is now in progress of erection. and
funds required, / Will interest myself in be-
half of the good Sisters. nd appeal for help TO
their many friends, who have always been
'eady in the past to help them, and will ne-1
ioubt continue to do In this time of need.
..IND!ANAPOLIs Sent 26 1887"